Machine for shaping shoe uppers



MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE PPPERS Filed May 11, 1945 3 She'ets-Sheet 1 20 Q fl/VEA/TUR Spt. 25, 194 5. R. E. DUPLESSIS ,3 36

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed May 11, 1943 3-Sheets-$heet 15 Sept. 25, 1945. R. E. DUPLESSIS MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed y 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 2 shoe" uppers Patented Sept. 25, 1945 ED E S. hall E N- T @F F LC E MAGHINE F-GR SHAPING SHOE UPPE-RS' Ren- Duplessis, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United ShoeMacliinery Corporation; ,Eleming; ton, N. J.,a corporation of New Jersey Application May 11, 1943; Serial No. 486,567.

13' Claims.

This invent-ion relates to means for shaping or shoe parts such; separate back parts; and is-herein illustrated as embodied in a machine for formingoutturned flanges on the-rear par-t's'of stitch'down uppers. Such a machine is illustrated and described in United States Eetters Patent No: 2379, 125, grantedflulyfi; l9' l5 on an application' filed-in my name; and specifically; the present invention comprises improvements in machines 0f the type illustrated in the machine illustrated in said application is organized to fornr' outturne'd flanges in shoeupper-s; it is to be understood that the improvements provided by the present inventionare not limited in theirapplication to a machine so organized but are applicable to" machines for performing other operationsonshoe uppers. Moreover; in its broaderaspects the invention is applicable tomachines'other than shoe machines.

The-machineillustrated in' Patent No. 2,379,425 above ref-erred to,,is' atwin machine, each station ofwhich has an' inner formon whicha shoe upper is mounted, a pair ofouter forms or molds which close on the upper'to' shape it against the inner form, and a pair of wipers which move outwardiy to form: an outturned' fi'angein the upper and then move heightwise of theupperto mold and creasesai'dflange against the bottoms of said outer forms. two cycles of thework on the upper. During the first cycle theouterforms close-on the upperand the wipers operate to shape and mold the outturned'flange, and during the second cycle continuous molding pressure is applied for a brief; interval and thereafter the operating parts are retracted. leaving the upper free to be removed from the machine. In order to enable the operator tohandle one upper at atime in. the operation of the machine the two cycles occur alternately in the two stations; Thus, after'each operation of the machine the outer forms in one station are closed and the outer" forms in the other'station' are retracted to permit the introduction into the machine of another upper'to be operated upon. Upon completing the Hanging: of a given lot of uppers, it has been the practice to: insert a discarded upper into the machine so that the inner and outer forms which remain closed while the machine is at rest will not beiin'contact- It will", of course, be understood that such contact of the operating parts woul'dbe injurious to them since they would not contact each other'throughout the entire extent of their upper engaging surfaces but" only at cerfor example, as-

said copending' application. While The machine is so organized that operation are required to complete panying drawings and tain'portions, which portions would thus be-subjectedto excessive wear.

It is an" object ofthepresent invention toimprove twin machines of the type above described by providing for the retraction of the operating parts in onestation without disturbing the-retracted positionof the operating parts in the other thereof; consists in the provision; in a twin ma-- chine of that type in which two cycles are required forthe complete operation of each station, of a common actuator for-initiating the operation" of each station; and a manually operatedauxiliaiy actuatorfor initiating onlythe second cyclein only one station. In order to insure thealternateoperation of the two stations of the machine upon resumption of operation of the machineafter arest period; the invention providesmeans constructed and arranged tobe operatedby anauxiliary actuator to render the common actuator inoperative in only one" station of the r machine; Thus; the first operation of the common actuator initiates the first cycl'ein only one stationof the machine; Inorder that the actuator may initiate the first cycle in the opposite station when it is operated a; second time the actuating mechanism is soconstructedand arranged that the first operation of the common actuator-renders ineffective the above mentioned means-operated by the auxiliary actuator for rendering the common actuator inoperative in one station, thus insuring the usual routine operation of the common actuator after the first cycle has been completed. In order that the-operator may readily determine which station will operate first after a rest period, the invention provides means for indicating that station in which the common actuator has been rendered inoperativeby the operation of the auxiliary actuator;

These'and other features ofthe invention will now be described with reference tothe accompointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a machine embodying the features of the present invention with a portion of the front cover plate broken away to illustrate said operating mechamsm;

Fig. 2 is an enlargedperspective view illustrating theoperating mechanism disclosed in Fig; 1-, together with other associated parts; certain parts being broken and other parts shown in section; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system and the actuating mechanism.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a twin machine for molding and flanging the heel portions of stitchdown uppers, the two stations being identined as A and B, respectively, for convenience of reference. In common with the machine illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,379,425, hereinbefore referred to, this machine is provided with duplicate molding and flanging mechanisms comprising an inner form l having the general shape of the heel portion of a last and a pair of outer forms or molds l2 constructed and arranged to advance as a unit until they engage the back seam portion of an upper mounted on the inside form I!) and then to close on the upper to mold it tothe shape of said inner form. For outwardly flanging the bottom margin at the heel portion of the upper each station of the machine is provided with a pair'of wipers I4 which move outwardly and rearwardly to flange the bottom margin against the bottom surfaces of the outer molds l2, and then move heightwise of the upper under heavy fluid pressure to mold and crease the outturned margin. A full description of the construction and operation of the mechanism generally described above will be found in my application above referred to. The organization of the machine is such that two cycles of operation are required to complete the work on the upper and to return the operating parts to their rest positions to permit the removal of the work from the machine. During the first cycle the outer molds l2 close on the work and the flange forming wipers it perform the flange forming operation and the machine comes to rest at the end of the first cycle with the upper held under molding pressure by said operating mechanism. During the second cycle there is a short dwell during which the upper remains under the molding pressure and thereafter the wipers I4 and the outer molds l2 are retracted to permit the molded upper to be removed from the machine. In the routine operation of the machine the first cycle in one station occurs concomitantly with the second cycle in the other station.

. In such routine operation the machine is initiated by a single treadle mounted on a cross shaft 13 in the base of the machine; said treadle beingthe common actuator hereinbefore referred to. The illustrated treadle comprises two forwardly extending parallel arms extending through notches 22 in the base of the machine frame and connected at their forward ends by a tread plate 24. Pivoted to each arm 20 is the lower end of a link 26, said links being elements of duplicate operating mechanisms in the two stations of the machine; The following description will apply to either of said mechanisms, but for convenience of reference is directed for the most part to the mechanism in station B. Referring to Fig. 2 the link 26 at its upper end terminates in an enlarged rectangular portion which is mounted in the bifurcated endportion of an arm 28 extending forwardly from a hub 30 freely mounted on a cross shaft 32] The ec an portion of the link 26 is recessed to provide a latching surface 34 which actsagainst a slabbed off surface of a headed pin 36 extending through the bifurcated portion of the arm 28 and rigidly mounted therein. The link 26 is normally held in contact with the pin 36 by a spring 38 while the arm 28 is yieldingly held in its rest position by a spring 40, said rest position being accurately determined by the engagement of an adjustable screw 42 mounted in the headof the pin 35 with a fixed stop surface 44. The vertical position of the screw 62 is maintained by two retaining pins 45 (shown in station IA.) projecting outwardly from the arm 28 and holding between them a small pin 4! projecting radially from the pin 36. Extending downwardly from the hub 30 which carries the bifurcated arm 28 i an ann 4B the bifurcated end portion of which has a pin and slot connection to the forward end of a link 48 the rear end of which is connected to a short arm 50 fixed to a cross shaft 52. The depression of the treadle moves the link 26 downwardly thus imparting downward movement to the arm 28 and rearward movement to the arm 46. If the operating parts are set for the performance of the first cycle of their operation the rearward movement of the arm 48 causes a like movement of the link 48 and the arm 59, thus rocking the cross shaft 52 which operates through a short arm 54 secured thereto and links 56 and 58 to impart upward movement to three slide valves 60, 62, and 64 (Fig. 3). A resilient retaining member (not shown), operating on the valve 60, holds the three valves in their raised position. With said valves at the limit of their upward movement, station B of the machine is set for the first cycle of its operation. Referring to Fig. 3, when the valves 60, 62 and B4 in station B are at the limit of their upward movement, the upper valve 60 is in its open position, permitting the flow of pressure fluid from a manifold 66 through a pipe 68 t0 the small head 10 of the piston which operates to close the outer forms l2. The opening of the valve 60 also permits the flow of pressure fluid through a pipe 12 to the upper end of a hydraulic motor M having a rack and gear connection to a rotary valve mounted in a casing 16. The operation of the rotary valve successively opens pressure lines through pipes 18, 80, and 82 in the order named. The pipelil conducts pressure fluid to the large head 84 of the piston which closes the outer forms l2 while the pipe 89 conducts pressure fluid to a piston 85 which imparts wiping movement to the flange forming wipers l4 and the pipe 82 conducts pressure fluid ,to the piston 88 which imparts pressure heightwise of the upper to the wipers M to mold and crease the outturned flange of the upper. The upward movement of the slide valve 62 closes said valve and prevents the flow of pressure fluid from the manifold 66 downwardly through the pipe 9!]. The upward movement of the lower slide valve 64 closes the lower portion of the pipe 90 and forces exhaust fluid which is expelled by downward movement of the motor 14 to be discharged through a governor valve 92. Upon completion of the operation of the rotary valve the first cycle in station B terminates with the upper under the molding pressure of the outer forms l2 and the wipers l4. While the upper remains under pressure another upper is mounted on the inner form ll! in station A and the treadle is again depressed to start the first cycle of operations in that station. Such depression of the treadle has no effect in station B in which the upper is held under pressure since in that station the horizontal link 48 is so positioned that the vertical treadle-actuated arm 45 (Fig. 2) merely traverses idly the length of the slot in the link 48 without imparting longitudinal movement to said link. In station A the second depression of the treadle closes the outer forms 12 as above deone of the arrow'operating' arms, said mechanism comprising an arm I50 secured to and extending forwardly from the cross shaft 32 and a link I52 connecting said arm to one of the arrow operating arms I44, I46. As herein illustrated,' the hand lever H2 in station A is operatively connected to the arm I44 which operates the rear arrow I36 while the hand lever H2 in station B is'o'peratively connected to the arm I45 which operates the forward arrow I34.

The operation of the illustrated machine, insofar as it concerns the mechanism embodying the present invention, is set forth in the foregoing description. A complete description of the routine operation of the machine on stitchdown uppers apears in Patent No. 2,379,425, hereinbefore referred to.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, and in which the machine comes to rest at the end of the first cycle and remains at rest until the operator starts the second cycle, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each cycle in each station, and a manually operated auxiliary actuator for initiating only the second cycle in only one station.

2. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, and in which the machine comes to rest at the end of the first cycle and remains at rest until the operator starts the second cycle, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each cycle in ca ch station, and two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only.

' 3. In a twin machine of that typein which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, and in which the machine comes to rest at the end of the first cycle and remains at rest until the operator starts the second cycle, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each cycle in each station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, and means operated by each auxiliary actuator for rendering said common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine.

4. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, and in which the machine comes to rest at the end of the first cycle and remains at rest until the operator starts the second cycle, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each cycle in each station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, and means operated by each auxiliary actuator for rendering only the next succeeding operation of the common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine.

5. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each station, means operating automatically at an intermediate stage in" the operation of the first cycle in one station for effecting the second cycle in the opposite station,

twoauxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, and disconnecting means operated by each auxiliary actuator for rendering said common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine.

6. In atwin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each station, means operating automatically at an intermediate stage in the operation of the first cycle in one station for efiecting the second cycle in the opposite station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, and two levers operated by said auxiliary actuators respectively for rendering only the next succeeding operation of said common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine.

7. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, means operated by each auxiliary actuator for rendering only the next succeeding operation of the common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine, and means for indicating that station in which the common actuator is inoperative after operation of an auxiliary actuator.

8. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, means operated by each aux iliary actuator for rendering only the next succeeding operation of the common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine, and means operated by said auxiliary actuators for indicating that station in which the common actuator is inoperative after operation of an auxiliary actuator.

9. In-a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, a common actuator for initiating the operation of each station, two auxiliary actuators, one for each station, for initiating the second cycle only, means operated by each auxiliary actuator for rendering only the next succeeding operation of the common actuator inoperative in only one station of the machine, and two indicators constructed and arranged to be operated by said auxiliary actuators, respectively, to indicate that station in which the common actuator is inoperative after operation of an auxiliary actuator.

10. In a twin machine of the type in which two cycles of operation of the machine are required for the complete operation of each station, operating mechanism including molds constructed and arranged to close on an end portion of a shoe upper, members for flanging the bottom margin of the upper, a common actuator operatively connected. to both stations of the machine, and an auxiliary actuator for retracting said molds and said flanging members in only one station.

11. In a twin machine of the type in which two cycles of operation of the machine are required for the complete operation of each station, operating mechanism including molds constructed and arranged to close on an end portion of a shoe upper, members for flanging the bottom margin of the upper, a treadle operatively connected to both stations of the machine, a hand lever for retracting said molds and said flanging members in only one station, and means operated by the treadle for moving said hand leverinto an inoperative position.

12. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, one treadle for initiating the operation of both stations, two operating members, one in each station, said operating members being so constructed and arranged that movement thereof in one direction initiates the first cycle and movement thereof in the opposite direction, after the performance of the first cycle, initiates the second cycle, connections from the treadle to each of said operating members for moving said members to initiate the first cycle, two hand levers one for each station, and connections from the respective hand levers to said operating members to move said members to initiate the second cycle.

13. In a twin machine of that type in which two cycles are required for the complete operation of each station, one treadle for initiating the operation of both stations, two operating members, one in each station, said operating members being so constructed and arranged that movement thereof in one direction initiates the first cycle and movement thereof in the opposite direction after the performance of the first cycle initiates the second cycle, connections from the treadle to members.

RENE E. DUPLESSIS. 

